In the ever-evolving packaging industry, BOBST’s Central Impression (CI) flexo presses have become a centerpiece for innovation, thanks to their remarkable design, outstanding print quality, and user-centric features. These advanced presses integrate cutting-edge technology to meet the dynamic demands of global markets, from packaging fresh and frozen foods to beauty, pharmaceuticals, and other sectors, thereby ensuring high-definition multi-color images that reflect the premium quality of products. Consequently, BOBST is not just a technological pioneer but also a business enabler for converters, brand owners, and consumers alike.
BOBST’s Vision for Packaging Production
BOBST’s forward-thinking vision for the packaging industry revolves around key pillars—digitalization, automation, connectivity, and sustainability. These principles are embedded into their CI flexo presses, ensuring they not only meet modern market demands but also enhance operational efficiency and production quality. Their commitment to innovation also supports various industries, from food and beverages to pharmaceuticals, helping brand owners present their products with unparalleled quality through high-definition images.
Digitalization in BOBST’s processes ensures seamless integration and optimization of production workflows. Automation reduces human error while boosting productivity, and connectivity enables real-time monitoring and adjustments. Meanwhile, sustainability efforts have led to eco-friendly practices without compromising on productivity. The culmination of these aspects creates a highly efficient and adaptable environment designed to keep pace with evolving market needs and sustainability targets, ultimately ensuring profitability and growth for all stakeholders.
Market Outlook and Challenges
The packaging industry is on an upward trajectory, with the flexo printing market projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.0% by 2029. Flexible packaging, in particular, is expected to see even more significant growth, with consumption predicted to increase at a CAGR of 4.2% between 2023 and 2028. The surge is also anticipated in biodegradable and compostable materials, driven by rising consumer and regulatory demands for sustainability in packaging solutions. However, the industry is not without its challenges, such as shorter run lengths, increasing price pressures, and the need for sustainable solutions.
BOBST’s CI flexo presses are meticulously designed to address these challenges. By providing scalable solutions that can enhance productivity and print quality while reducing waste and costs, these presses ensure that businesses can stay competitive. Moreover, the capability to handle shorter runs efficiently makes it easier for companies to meet varying market demands without incurring excessive costs. The BOBST portfolio, featuring presses like the EXPERT CI, VISION CI, and MASTER CI, offers tangible benefits that mitigate industry challenges and pave the way for robust growth.
Customer Stories and Market Impact
Customer success stories underscore the transformative impact of BOBST’s CI flexo presses on businesses around the globe. Take, for instance, Fiorini in Italy. Under the leadership of President & CEO Giovanni Fiorini, the company has leveraged BOBST technology to significantly enhance print quality and meet market demands for high-definition packaging. This strategic move has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth and market presence. The advanced capabilities of BOBST presses allow for exceptional print fidelity, which is crucial for brand differentiation and consumer engagement.
Similarly, Mar-Co Harbor Group in Michigan, USA, has seen substantial improvements in both speed and print quality thanks to their VISION CI press. Tom Eversole, the President and CEO of Mar-Co Harbor, emphasizes the importance of these attributes in maintaining market competitiveness and meeting customer expectations. By speeding up production and ensuring high-quality output, BOBST presses provide a critical edge to companies looking to excel in the highly competitive packaging market. These real-world applications illustrate how BOBST’s technological advancements translate into tangible business benefits, driving not just operational efficiency but also market success.
Modular Configuration and Automation
The VISION CI and EXPERT CI presses from BOBST set a new standard for modularity and automation in the flexo printing industry. These presses offer modular concepts that are both flexible and adaptable, allowing businesses to scale and customize their operations as needed. For instance, these presses can be configured for 8 or 10 colors and include options for varnish and white ink stations, significantly enhancing print quality and versatility. The modular nature of these presses also means that additional downstream units can be integrated either from the start or retrofitted later, offering long-term operational flexibility.
Automation plays a crucial role in these presses, simplifying complex procedures and reducing the likelihood of human error. This technological advancement not only improves productivity but also ensures consistent quality across various types of substrates. By enabling faster and more intuitive setup processes, automation features allow operators to focus on optimizing production rather than troubleshooting issues, thereby enhancing overall efficiency and output. This smart combination of modularity and automation makes BOBST’s presses uniquely suited to address the evolving demands of the packaging industry.
Enhancing Efficiency and Reducing Waste
In a bid to enhance efficiency and reduce operational waste, BOBST has introduced oneECG (Extended Color Gamut) technology, which represents a significant leap in flexo printing. This innovative technology uses a fixed set of inks to produce a broad range of colors, effectively eliminating the need for spot colors and minimizing job changeovers. The result is a considerable reduction in both waste and operating costs, alongside improved color consistency and faster production times. This advancement is particularly beneficial in scenarios requiring quick turnarounds and high-quality output.
Companies like Litoplas in Colombia have markedly benefited from oneECG technology. According to Luis Antonio Mora, the company’s Chief Commercial Officer, oneECG has revolutionized their operations, making them more efficient and reliably consistent in their output. The technology minimizes human error, further enhancing operational reliability. By streamlining workflows and reducing material waste, oneECG exemplifies how BOBST is pushing the boundaries of traditional printing methods to offer state-of-the-art solutions that elevate the entire production process.
Smart Integration and Quality Assurance
In an industry where precision matters, BOBST takes quality assurance to another level with smartGPS (Graphic Positioning System). This advanced feature optimizes press setups by generating registration and impression settings offline and then communicating them digitally to the press. The result is significantly reduced setup times and minimized material waste, making the whole procedure more efficient. Smart integration doesn’t end here; BOBST also incorporates the Digital Inspection Table (DIT) and the NOVALAM S 550 solvent-less laminator into their ecosystem. These elements ensure short production times while maintaining high standards of quality.
The smart integration of these systems provides a comprehensive solution that addresses various aspects of the packaging process, from print setup to final inspection. For instance, the DIT allows real-time quality checks, ensuring any defects are promptly identified and rectified, thereby maintaining the integrity of the final output. The NOVALAM S 550 further complements this by offering efficient, high-quality lamination without the need for solvents, adding another layer of sustainability to the production process. This holistic approach ensures that businesses can achieve their quality goals without compromising efficiency or compliance.
Global Customer Successes
BOBST’s commitment to excellence is validated by the success stories of its global customer base, ranging from CPI Flexible Packaging in Indonesia to Al-Shamrani in Saudi Arabia. These companies have harnessed the capabilities of BOBST’s CI flexo presses to achieve remarkable improvements in production efficiency and product quality. In Indonesia, CPI Flexible Packaging has seen faster machine startups and increased productivity, with the innovative BOBST systems enabling resource-efficient production processes that keep pace with market demands.
In Saudi Arabia, General Manager Ali Muhammad Al-Mashmarani of Al-Shamrani praises the user-friendly features of their VISION CI press, noting its significant impact on operational efficiency. The press’s automation capabilities and ease of use have translated into faster production speeds and lower operating costs, enhancing the company’s overall competitiveness. These customer testimonials illustrate the broad applicability and effectiveness of BOBST’s technology, demonstrating how companies in diverse regions and market segments have benefited from the advanced features and reliability of CI flexo presses.
BOBST’s Transformative Impact
In the constantly evolving packaging industry, BOBST’s Central Impression (CI) flexo presses have become central to innovation due to their remarkable design, superior print quality, and user-friendly features. These state-of-the-art presses incorporate the latest technology to meet the changing demands of global markets. They are adept at packaging fresh and frozen foods, beauty products, pharmaceuticals, and more, ensuring high-definition, multi-color images that showcase the premium quality of various products. BOBST stands out not just as a technological trailblazer, but also as a key business enabler for converters, brand owners, and consumers alike. By providing solutions that enhance print quality and production efficiency, BOBST helps businesses keep up with market trends and consumer expectations. Thus, BOBST’s contributions are invaluable in maintaining the high standards of the packaging industry, assisting stakeholders in achieving their goals, and securing a competitive edge in a fast-paced market.
